Posted 7 years ago
Emptynet
(16 items)
I finally pulled the trigger on this one, LITERALLY! I recently purchased a Coca Cola 100th anniversary, matching number commenretive Winchester 30-30 rifle and shotgun. These firearms have never been fired and came in the original box with a complete set of manufactures paperwork. (The photos are from the sellers auction advertisement )
From my research here is the history of the Coca Cola Winchester long guns: For the 100th anniversary a Coca Cola excutive commissioned 2,500 rifles and shotguns to be made. Prior to the completion a higher level excutive canceled the order as Coca Cola did not want to be associated with firearms. It is rumored that less than 2,000 were made. The firearms were stored until 1991 when they were then sold to Coca Cola employees.
Per the Winchester Commemorative website only 1,574 sets were made. ( In my research I have come across a few with serial numbers higher than what is stated by Winchester???)
I have been on the hunt for two years and I have put bids on, or pursued each individually but never a set. I found a set 1 and 1/2 years ago but the deal fell thru before it got started.
I am overjoyed with my purchase.
I was surprised to see this logo on a rifle too. It reminded me of an ashtray I once had that had the red cross logo on it! So...it's very cool that there were not many made and that you finally found what you were looking for. I feel strongly about things like that...if you want it, it will come. Isn't that in a movie with that adorable Kevin Costner...of course it is! (I just can't think of the name of the movie!) I'll be shouting it out in a few hours or a few days!
Thanks shareurpassion for the comments, I believe that you are thinking of the movie a Field of dreams. "If you build it they will come."
Great ! Never heard of their existence. Luv them. Is that your Man Cave ? LOL!!
Thanks BB2, no its not the man cave "yet".
I was vp of operations for the gun wholesaler that put the coca cola / winchester deal together and managed the distribution in 1987.
A couple of clarifying points:
The program started out with 2500 sets approved
In gun production, when a defective gun is made, its put to the side and reworked at end of production...in this programs case, the production was never completed, because Coca Cola advised us that they did not want to be associated with a gun, even though there was a contract for the program. We were threatened with legal action if we proceeded without their approval. Just a side note, this withdrawal of support from the program was immediately after a mass shooting in California at a McDonalds that made national news. At that time it was rumored that McDonalds was Coca Cola's largest account. Deal was settled to stop production and allow us, the gun distributor to sale the completed sets (1574) to Coca Cola Distributors/Dealers / employees through retail gun dealers. Small hickup in that deal. Coca Cola would not provide a list of any kind for us to contact...took 2 years to liquidate the Coca Cola sets.
I have two sets, #22, the first complete set made and #801 and at 73 years old, I'm ready to let someone have these. Please make me an offer I can't refuse.
My dad has one of the Shotguns. We have always thought it was a really cool gun. I am not sure if anyone has a esitmated value on the Shotgun only, but I would love to know.
Ricktroe - If you still have your set, let me know. I would love to have a conversation about that.